How to books

  Today's topic, are the how-to books from Close to My Heart.  There are four volumes, with three and four being the most recently released within the last year.  Volumes three and four are packaged differently than the older volumes.  You slip these volumes into an Everyday Life album.  They're a convenient size and lay flat or could be propped up to easily view the instructions.  So why would someone consider purchasing one of these books when there's Pinterest?  I love Pinterest just as much as the next girl and enjoy pinning beautiful artwork that inspires me.  However it's easy to get lost down that rabbit hole and lose a lot of your time.  Your time is valuable and most people say I don't have time to be creative.  Or I could never make something like that because I'm just not a creative person.  I'm going to let you in on a secret, even creative people experience a block every now and again.  Well these books are there to help you move past that!

 

  So let's move into the details of these books and why they could help you.  Volume three has 36 two-page layout patterns for standard photo sizes.  As well as artwork that shows you how to include Pocket Plus pages.  The measurements are included and easy to read to create the layouts.  They also have two different completed layouts pictured so that you can see how the layouts can be used for any theme.  Each one also features creative tips on how to create special features on a layout.  Using standard photo sizes (4x6, 3x3, 3x4,...) are what takes your layout up a notch.  It provides a more cohesive look to your layout.  But sometimes you happen to take a lot of pictures at an event and would like to include them all in the one layout.  That's where the Pocket Plus pages come in!  There are multiple sizes and photo configurations available.  *So here's a tip:  if you are looking to print a 3x4 photo in landscape or portrait.  Download the Project Life App from the App Store.  It was only $2.99!  In the app you can fit two 3x4 pictures on a 4x6 layout, then you save it and have it printed wherever you purchase your prints.  This also helps to cut down on the cost of printing.*

  Volume four has 24 patterns to create cards for any occasion in the standard 4 1/4"x5 1/2"size.  Again there are two artwork samples and creative tips for each card shown too.  Cards don't come as naturally to me so having this is such a valuable tool.  The measurements are listed for the cards too.  I don't have a large amount of cards on hand but I can say that my stock has come through on several occasions.  When you realize that you forgot to pick up a card or you have a last minute thank you to mail out it can be annoying to have to drive back to the store just for that item.  It's nice to have them all ready to go, an added bonus is that being homemade adds a personal touch.

  I hope that you find this helpful to take a closer look at what's inside these How-to books.  Having a creative outlet is a great way to relax and have fun with your friends and having the right tools can help you with that.  If you have any questions please let me know!  

Sincerely,

Justine

Retiform

Hey everyone,
  Yesterday someone on our team page posted a card that used a technique called Retiform or Grid technique.  I had never heard of it before but it looked really cool.  So of course I turned to my go to crafty research app Pinterest!

  This technique really isn't difficult.  I'm not advanced at stamping, I'm still learning and have a long way to go.  So for this technique I chose a beach theme because I needed to make my SIL a birthday card and she loves the beach.   So I gathered my No Worries, Swirly Seashells, and Birthday Sparkles stamp sets.  I cut my white Daisy to 5x3 3/4".  The Seaglass is cut at 5 1/4"x4".  You'll also need a sponge dauber, two inks, a scrap of paper that has a longer straight edge, and some post it notes. This post is really photo heavy but you'll be able to see how easy it is.  Some tips that I have are that you have to watch if the ink is soaking through the post it note so you might want to try to use an additional scrap of paper.  I am going to try that myself next time just to see which I prefer to use.  The inks that I used were Sea Glass and Juniper.

  Here are the two cards that I created with this technique.  I used foam tape for a little dimension on these cards.  

  If you have any questions feel free to ask.  I've linked some of the products that were used below, or you can find more products on my site at justineharris.closetomyheart.com.   Thanks for reading.

-Justine

            Swirly Seashells                                No Worries

       Sea Glass cardstock                                     3-D foam tape

              2"x2" block

Stampaganza

Seriously?!  How exciting is this?  This is a sale that I have never seen them do in the past year, and I don't think it comes around often so don't miss out.

Throughout the month of March on my website you can buy 2 stamp sets and get 1 free!

~Justine

Going, going, gone...

So with Stampaganza in full swing, I thought I would post some visuals of the stamps that will be retiring April 30th, 2016 when the Seasonal Expressions 1 catalog ends.  As well as July 31st, 2016 when the Annual Inspiration catalog ends.  

Remember with Stampaganza you can buy two stamp sets and get one of equal or lesser value for free!

All of these stamp sets are in the current seasonal expressions 1.  Close to My Heart has announced that they will be retired on April 30, 2016.  Now is the time to buy them since it is Stampaganza!

These are retiring July 31st Close to My Heart has announced the following stamp sets will retire on July 31st.

~Justine